My petrol 150ACT FR ST has done 8000 miles and I don’t think I’ve once had any thoughts about the gearbox, so it must be OK. Having seen your post I was on a 100 mile round trip yesterday and decided to focus on the gears and they are fine; easy and fast to change, smooth and not notchy at all.

I drive a lot of Spanish hire cars (some with 10Km on the clock and some with 100,000) and follow a tip I was given that’s served me well for years.

When using an unfamiliar gearbox hold the gearstick knob with the tips of your fingers; if you just guide it into the gate it will find its own way in. (Sorry, this sounds like porn.) Quite soon you’ll learn where the exact entry point is.

But if have the knob in a white knuckle grip, in the palm of your hand like holding a screwdriver, you are deciding where you think the gate ought to be and if you’re a couple of mm out you will be in the wrong place and trying to force the gears to go where they don’t want to go.

Take it Gently Bentley!